Messages

1

General Discussion / Re: The Southern tier. East to west.

« on: March 02, 2026, 02:54:13 pm »

Cool that you at least give it a shot. Florida is a beast to bike. I've done various parts of it. I am doing a loop starting and ending in Del Rio in April-May. Taking 90 from Del Rio to Marfa than doubling back through Pecos, Midland, Eldorado. So is 90 still a bitch re chip seal in Texas (asking others who have ridden it). I don't want to ride I-10. cause it's no fun plus debris in the shoulder.

I am 72 1/2 . The main thing for me is worry about breakdowns without a bike shop for hundreds of miles. There are shops in Del Rio and Midland - that's it along my route. I have been trying to find someone I could pre-pay to bail my ass out (fix my bike) in the event of a level 2 problem (Level 1- easily repaired, like a simple flat, brake adjustment). Level 2 - someone with mechanical acumen could repair (broken chain, more substantial gear or brake problem. Level 3- Needs a bike shop. I would also pay actual expenses. Not a sag but an insurance policy. So far no takers. Have tried bike clubs, associations, everything. My wife is worried silly. But bike is in great shape and probably I will be fine. There is always an element of risk.

Back to you - sorry you couldn't complete it. I've gotten clipped by a sideview mirror in the Florida Keys, also practically run off the ride several times. Any possibility of another, less difficult trip?

2

Routes / any bike stores/repair options on Southern Tier in Texas (and environs?)

« on: February 13, 2026, 02:26:42 am »

Cycling portion of southern Tier in April - loop tour starting and ending in Del Rio. - can't seem to find ANY bike shops along or near route except for Del Rio. Seems only shops are e-bike stores (Marfa); the few that once existed either are shuttered or do not respond to my queries. I want the comfort of knowing there is a place I could turn to for repairs/adjustments should that be necessary. Itinerary: Del Rio west to Marfa via US 90, Texas 17  north to Fort Davis/Pecos, Texas 385 east to Ft. Stockton, Texas 385/190 east to Eldorodo and return to Del Rio. Individuals who fix bikes would be fine as well. I can make basic on-road repairs but a bit concerned (or my wife is, anyway) about lack of shops should I run into anything more complicated.

3

Classifieds / Reply to cyclist looking for companion for riding in Mexico

« on: September 17, 2024, 12:41:15 pm »

Hi - As it would happen, I will be riding solo in Mexico (Baja) during the period you mentioned. Feb. 15 - end of March (with some flexibility) from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas- about 1,000 miles. The reason I ride solo is I am the slowest rider on this planet - OK, one of them. I probably average 7.5 mph. The reason I would like to NOT ride solo is I have little to no mechanical ability and for the company. I have had extensive solo touring experience - I guess that's relative - maybe 15,000 miles including from the Mexican to Canadian borders on US 83 (e.g. cross-country).  71 year old married male living in Philadelphia.  Hit me up with questions (probably better to do via email rather than back and forth here: mniteoil@gmail.com or via phone 215-207-4972 (text first, plz). Buena suerte! 

4

Classifieds / Re: Companions Wanted Section

« on: September 10, 2024, 02:12:58 am »

71-year old male cyclist seeking responsible adult to provide RV/camper support for my lifelong dream of bicycling the 1,000 mile, Baja Peninsula of Mexico, during 4-5 weeks in mid-Feb to late March, 2025. .

I will subsidize ALL expenses, including food, gas and Mexican auto insurance. Additional stipend also possible. Driver should have BASIC bike repair acumen. Ability to speak basic Spanish would be helpful but is not necessary. I plan to ride independently; you would drive the route during the later part of the day to intercept me if necessary, and for help in emergencies. I will not be sleeping in your RV unless no other option is available.

I will follow Mexico Transcontinental Route 1 from the U.S border to Cabo San Lucas.I am a married male from Philadelphia  with extensive independent bike touring experience. This is an opportunity to experience a culturally fascinating area cost-free (while relieving my wife's anxiety)..
 

5

Classifieds / Seeking sag support for bike trip in Baja, Mexico in early 2025

« on: September 07, 2024, 09:30:01 pm »

71-year old male cyclist seeking responsible adult to provide RV/camper support for my lifelong dream of bicycling the 1,000 mile, Baja Peninsula of Mexico, during 4-5 weeks in mid-Feb to late March, 2025. .

I will subsidize ALL expenses, including food, gas and Mexican auto insurance. Additional stipend also possible. Driver should have BASIC bike repair acumen. Ability to speak basic Spanish would be helpful but is not necessary. I plan to ride independently; you would drive the route during the later part of the day to intercept me if necessary, and for help in emergencies. I will not be sleeping in your RV unless no other option is available.

I will follow Mexico Transcontinental Route 1 from the U.S border to Cabo San Lucas.I am a married male from Philadelphia  with extensive independent bike touring experience. This is an opportunity to experience a culturally fascinating area cost-free (while relieving my wife's anxiety)..
 

6

Gear Talk / Re: Expeience with Panaracer Gravel King Plus for tubeless touring?

« on: December 21, 2023, 01:17:32 am »

Thanks, Hank. I am laser-focused on puncture resistance and ease in mounting.

From the chart within your link that I found by going into "compare top 5 puncture resistance" it looks like the Panaracer Gravel King Plus SS tires (which only show up when you do the top 5 comparison) offer superior puncture resistance to the Conti All Seasons. Did you ride with the Panaracer Plus (which offers better resistance than the baseline Gravel Kings? 

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/continental-grand-prix-5000-as-tr-35#pr

7

Routes / seeking routing suggestions for Southern Illinois loop trip

« on: September 27, 2023, 03:15:12 pm »

Seeking routing suggestions for Big Rivers ride in Southern Illinois. My tentative route:

Start in Carbondale.
South on EITHER Route 127 or Route 3 to Cairo (which is better?)
Ride along Ohio River (Routes 37/45) to Metropolis
Ride along Ohio River north (Routes 146/1) via Cave in Rock Park to Golconda, Shawneetown
Return to Carbondale via Route 13 or any better local roads to the north of it

This is from the 1969 American Youth Hostel Atlas!

Seeking scenic, low-volume roads. Any alternatives/suggestions would be welcome. Also, any sense of terrain.
 

8

Gear Talk / Re: Expeience with Panaracer Gravel King Plus for tubeless touring?

« on: September 17, 2023, 04:42:50 pm »

Actually no. I tried to get a Schwalbe One tubeless but the max width was 700 28CC. They make the Almotion tubeless in 35 CC. Experience?

9

Gear Talk / Expeience with Panaracer Gravel King Plus for tubeless touring?

« on: September 16, 2023, 05:56:18 pm »

Going tubeless. Do not appear to be Schwalbe options in 700 cc/35 tubeless tires. Bike shop is pushing Panaracer Gravel King Plus. Experience? My criteria is flat protection and difficulty mounting where necessary.  Do you carry folding tires in remote region as backup?

10

Routes / seeking route advice for biking in western Texas NOT on US 90

« on: August 29, 2023, 08:27:00 pm »

Doing a loop cycling tour starting and ending in Del Rio, TX. I will ride the Southern Tier route from Del Rio to Marfa. Seeking advice/experience on eastward routing return options. Tentative route: 

--North to I-10 via Fort Davis
--I-10 to Fort Stockton
-- US 385, Texas 305, US 190 to Iraan
--US 190 to Eldorodo
--US 277 to Del Rio

A bit worried about the 90-mile ride from Sonora to Del Rio, as it looks rather desolate.

Would appreciate any suggestions on the above, and better alternatives (sorry, fixed on the Del Rio loop concept) and on what to expect re elevation gain, amenities (most likely few if any) AFTER US 90 What about the riding conditions on the non-interstate US highways?  For those riding on I-10, have you had problems re flats from blown up tire steel pieces?  Going in late October/early November. Looks like mixed wind direction, decent temps. Finally, does anyone know of any repair options should that be needed - can't find any bike shop or equivalent beyond Del Rio.

11

Routes / Re: Dogs on the Southern Tier Route

« on: August 29, 2023, 08:22:11 pm »

I've ridden stretches of the Southern Tier without any problem. However, I noticed several people complaining about US 90 in Western Texas, in forums on Crazy Guy.

12

Routes / Re: Seeking advice on riding Florida's northeast coast

« on: March 01, 2023, 11:16:10 pm »

Thanks, Carla. Funny, I used to check with state biking coordinators back in the day but got out of the habit in favor of shops, clubs and forums.

I'm leery about bicycling in Florida having given my experience cycling from Miami to Key West along the Overseas Heritage Trial. You my recall that we spoke about this. I already have East Coast map 7 from that trip and just ordered map 6. Seems that the infrastructure should be sufficient to make a go of this.

Phil Blumenkrantz

13

Routes / Seeking advice on riding Florida's northeast coast

« on: February 24, 2023, 09:14:17 pm »

Seeking feedback on biking Florida Route AIA from south of the Georgia state line to Daytona Beach, using Jacksonville and DeLand Amtrak stations to get to and from my home in the Northeast. Particularly would like assessments on riding A1A - safety and ride worthiness generally. My wife is somewhat traffic adverse. Probably in mid-April.Would need to connect via spurs to and from train stations. Could alternatively do some kind of loop via the St. John's River/AIA, with Jacksonville and Palatka, as north and south termini.

14

General Discussion / Re: Best book you've read on bicycle travel

« on: December 16, 2021, 04:39:14 am »

The Barbara Savage book (I just turned my head and there it is on my shelf) and Over the Hills by LA Times writer David Lamb The latter was truest to some of my own experiences, and spared us of the hubris. https://www.amazon.com/Over-Hills-Midlife-America-Bicycle/dp/0812925793

15

General Discussion / Re: Riding Yellowhead Highway in British Columbia

« on: December 16, 2021, 04:29:34 am »

Thanks both of you, both for the facts (traffic levels, topography) and advice re TOD, to which I need to give greater consideration. I agree it is in part a matter of comfort level. I have some long-distance experience (plus live in Philadelphia where I am quite used to sharing the road, though in an urban context), but not as much as either of you. Interesting observation about RVs vs the professional drivers. Biking up US 83, which is a principal N-S US corridor, I recall feeling uncomfortable with 18-wheelers but came to realize these folks knew what they were doing. The danger was more my overcompensating and riding off the shoulder.

As to rain, this trip will make up for my most recent trip through Death Valley National Park, which gets an average two inches of rain a year. 

I am kind of set on east to west, perhaps despite my better judgement. I like to save the best (Skeena River plus the Inside Passage Ferry) for last. Hard to get pumped for the Vanderhoof-Prince George ending. I may regret that re winds but they sound manageable.